Heather Overbeck, Director 

Heather is the Founder and Director of Principle Dance Studio and Aster Brio Dance Company. She began her dance training at the age of eight and has studied Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Modern dance. Her education includes a  BFA Degree in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Texas at Austin where she was a scholarship student. Training at summer intensives includes: Ballet Austin, American Ballet Theatre, and Jump Rhythm Jazz Project. Heather continues her dance education at The Lou Conte Studio, home to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.  

She is currently performing with Project 606, a contemporary ballet and modern company in Chicago. She is also a former member of Zephyr Dance, a contemporary Chicago company now celebrating its 25th year. While in college, she performed with the Dance Repertory Theater at the University of TX.  During her high school years, Heather performed leading roles in a number of ballets including  “The Nutcracker”, “Sleeping Beauty” and “Cinderella” at the Vive Les Arts in Killeen, TX.

Her choreography has been performed at the VORTEX Repertory Company Theatre, Hyde Park Theatre, and the B. Iden Payne Theatre in Austin, TX as well as Act One Studios, The Bailiwick Theatre, and The Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago. She has attended the Craft of Choreography Workshop on full scholarship. 

Heather has been teaching dance  for 13 years. While in college, she student taught at Ballet Austin. Her teaching experience includes a number of private dance studios, the Cultural Activities Center in Temple, TX, The University of TX, Wilbur Wright College, and Act One Studios in Chicago. She has taught ages 2 through adult ranging in levels from beginning through professional. She currently  lives in Oak Park. 

Shannon Johnson, Instructor

Shannon Johnson was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She began her professional dance training at Howard University, and recently received a BFA in Dance.  While at Howard, she received summer internships at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

She is currently on Scholarship at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s training program, the Lou Conte Dance Studio.  Shannon would like to thank God for the opportunities to pursue her dream, as well as her parents, friends, and mentors for their continued support.

Kaitlan Short, Instructor

Kaitlan started on her pathway to dance with gymnastics at the age of three.  After having danced and competed with Shelly Tully’s Irish Step Dancers for seven years, Kaitlan began her Ballet, Modern, and Choreography training in high school.  She danced with the Riverside Brookfield Orchesis Dance Company and was a member and Captain of the Riverside Brookfield Competitive Poms Team.

She is currently involved in the United Moravian Society’s Dance Team, and is a member of the Chicago Storm Chasers.  In addition to teaching Hip Hop at Principle Dance, Kaitlan teaches gymnastics at Sokol Taber in Berwyn.  Kaitlan continues her dance training at the Lou Conte Dance studio in Chicago and is currently working towards her BFA Degree in Dance at Columbia College in Chicago.

Shari Klyber, Instructor

Shari's introduction to dance began at the age of nine, with lessons in gymnastics and dance.  Over the years, she performed in numerous musical dance productions with community school and church groups in Southern California.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology and a Master's degree in Teaching, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  She brings 10 years experience as an educator and a love of the arts to Principle Dance, where she has assisted with classes in the Early Development Program.  Shari has lived in Riverside since 2001.